DISCLAIMER: This content is designed to enhance the study of nursing. This content is generic and is not designed to take into account the specific objectives, needs, and/or circumstances of any particular region or country. To become a nurse, learners must successfully complete a program of study approved by the government or state-regulatory agency in their place of residence. We cannot guarantee that the successful completion of these materials will enable you to practice in your place of residence. Make sure that you are in compliance with the scope of practice of your regulatory body before attempting to put into use or practice any of the knowledge gained.

Course Overview

Welcome to the Nutrition in Nursing course. This course is designed to equip nursing students with essential knowledge of nutrition science and its application in healthcare. The course explores the fundamental principles of nutrition, its role in health promotion and disease prevention, and the nurse's role in nutritional care across various healthcare settings and patient/client populations. The Nutrition in Nursing course is an integral component of the BSN Curriculum. It provides students with the knowledge necessary to deliver comprehensive, client-centered nutritional care in diverse healthcare settings.

Course Development

The Nutrition Course for Nurses is a competency-based course developed in partnership with Nurses International (N.I.) and NextGenU.org (NGU). Competencies were developed in collaboration with subject matter experts in nutrition and nursing education and practice. The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education direct the course objectives. The course uses learning resources from accredited world-class organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), universities, international guidelines, OpenStax.org, and peer-reviewed journals. The Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) facilitates distance learning.

The course was written by the Nurses International faculty and designed in conjunction with the NextGenU.org design team. 

The Nurses International core faculty writers: Kathleen Capone MS, RN, CNE, EdD; Debra Heinrich RN, EdD; Beth Hutchason RN, MN; Emily Parker RN, MSN, FNP-BC; and Cathrine Fultz RN, BSN, MSN.

 Course Structure

There are ten units to complete, which include:

1. Introduction to Nutrition and Health
2. The Digestive Process
3. Macro and Micronutrients
4. Nutritional Requirements Across the Lifespan
5. Nutritional Assessment, Screening, and Interventions
6. Nutrition and Chronic Disease Management
7. Nutrition and Cancer
8. Nutritional and Eating Disorders
9. Global Health Nutrition
10. Cultural Competency and Nutrition

Each unit includes:

1. Individual lessons with accompanying reading materials
2. PowerPoint presentations
3. Learner self-assessment quizzes
4. Flashcard learning material
5. Case study activities
6. Unit exams

Assessment

A grade of 80% is required on quizzes and unit exams. Submission of required activities for all case studies and reflection exercises is necessary to progress to the next lesson or section.

The estimated completion time is 54 hours.

A comprehensive final exam consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions is administered at the end of the course. 

A grade of 80% is required to pass the exam. If not achieved, learners may self-remediate and attempt a second exam of comparable content.

A certificate of completion is available for download upon successful course completion.

Unit Overview:

This unit provides a foundational understanding of nutrition and its role in healthcare. It covers the definition of nutrition, the basic principles of nutrition science, and the relationship between nutrition and overall health. The unit also explores nursing interventions to promote health and the nurse's role as part of an interdisciplinary team in nutrition care.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

Student Learning Outcomes:

Click here to start this lesson.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify key nursing interventions that promote nutritional health
• Explain the nurse's role in client education regarding nutrition
• Demonstrate ability to develop a basic nutritional care plan

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the roles of various healthcare professionals in nutrition care
• Explain the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in nutrition management
• Identify effective communication strategies within interdisciplinary teams
• Describe the roles of various healthcare professionals in nutrition care
• Explain the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in nutrition management 
• Identify effective communication strategies within interdisciplinary teams

Click here to start this lesson

Unit Overview:

This unit focuses on the physiology of digestion and absorption. It identifies the major organs involved in the digestive process, explains the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients, and discusses common digestive disorders and their link to nutrition. The unit also covers the role of enzymes and hormones in digestion.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the major organs involved in the digestive process
• Explain the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients
• Identify common digestive disorders and their link to nutrition

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify and describe the major organs involved in the digestive process
• Explain the physiological processes of digestion and absorption of nutrients
• Discuss the role of enzymes and hormones in digestion

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify common digestive disorders linked to nutrition
• Discuss specific nutritional factors related to disease states

Click here to start this lesson

Unit Overview:

This unit explores the function of major macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) in the body. It covers the factors that affect nutrient absorption and the significance of "My Plate" in nutritional education for clients and populations.

Unit Learning Outcome:

• Explain the function of the major macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) in the body

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the macronutrients and explain their function
• Identify the micronutrients and explain their function
• Describe the factors that affect the absorption of nutrients
• Describe the significance of "My Plate" as it relates to nutritional education for clients and populations

Click here to start this lesson

Unit Overview:

This unit examines the nutritional requirements for different stages of life, including pregnancy and lactation, newborns and infants, childhood and adolescence, adults, and older adults. It discusses the causes and effects of nutritional deficiencies at each life stage and the nurse's role in promoting health and preventing disease through nutrition.

Unit Learning Outcome:

• Identify the nutritional requirements for the different stages of life:

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the nutritional requirements in pregnancy and lactation 
• Identify the causes and effects of nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy and lactation
• Discuss the nurse's role in pregnancy and lactation related to health promotion, disease prevention, and alterations in health
  

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the nutritional requirements for newborns and infants
• Identify the causes and effects of nutritional deficiencies in newborns and infants
• Discuss the nurse's role in the nutrition of newborns and infants related to health promotion, disease prevention, and alterations in health
  

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the nutritional requirements during childhood and adolescence related to growth and development stages
• Identify the causes and effects of nutritional deficiencies during childhood and adolescence
• Discuss the nurse's role in the nutrition of children and adolescents related to health promotion, disease prevention, and alterations in health during childhood and adolescence
  

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the nutritional requirements during adulthood related to age, gender and activity level
• Identify the causes and effects of nutritional deficiencies during adulthood
• Discuss the nurse’s role in the nutrition of adults related to health promotion, disease prevention, and alterations in health during adulthood
  

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the nutritional requirements of the older adult related to age and physiologic changes
• Identify the causes and effects of nutritional deficiencies in the older adult
• Discuss the nurse's role in the nutrition of older adults related to health promotion, disease prevention, and alterations in health during older adulthood

Click here to start this lesson

Unit Overview:

This unit analyzes methods and tools used by nurses for comprehensive nutritional assessment and screening of clients. It evaluates the importance of these processes in identifying clients at risk of malnutrition and informing care plans. The unit also covers common diet modifications related to various disease states and evidence-based nursing interventions to address nutritional needs.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the methods used by nurses for nutritional assessment
• Describe the tools used by nurses for nutritional assessment

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the methods used by nurses for nutritional screening
• Describe the tools used by nurses for nutritional screening
  

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify common diet modifications related to disease states
• Describe common nursing interventions related to nutrition
  

Click here to start this lesson

Unit Overview:

This unit explains the role of nutrition in the prevention and management of chronic diseases affecting various body systems, including cardiovascular, neurologic, endocrine, hematological, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal, musculoskeletal, and integumentary systems. It discusses evidence-based nutritional interventions and the nurse's role in promoting health and preventing disease through nutrition.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

• Explain the role of nutrition in the prevention and management of the following chronic diseases:

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Explain the relationship between nutrition and cardiovascular health
• Identify key dietary factors that influence cardiovascular disease risk
• Discuss evidence-based nutritional interventions for cardiovascular disease prevention and management
• Discuss the nurse's role in nutrition for the promotion of health, prevention of disease and education related to cardiovascular diseases

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the impact of nutrition on neurological health
• Identify nutritional factors that influence the development and progression of common neurological disorders
• Discuss dietary strategies to support brain health and manage neurological conditions
• Discuss the nurse's role in nutrition for the promotion of health, prevention of disease and education related to neurologic diseases

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Explain the relationship between nutrition and endocrine function
• Identify dietary factors that influence common endocrine disorders
• Discuss evidence-based nutritional interventions for managing endocrine disorders
• Discuss the nurse's role in nutrition for the promotion of health, prevention of disease and education related to endocrine disorders

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the impact of nutrition on blood health
• Identify key nutrients essential for hematopoiesis and blood function
• Discuss dietary strategies for managing common hematological disorders
• Discuss the nurse's role in nutrition for the promotion of health, prevention of disease and education related to hematological disorders

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Explain the relationship between nutrition and respiratory health
• Identify nutritional factors that influence common pulmonary disorders
• Discuss dietary strategies to support lung function and manage respiratory conditions
• Discuss the nurse's role in nutrition for the promotion of health, prevention of disease and education related to pulmonary disorders

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the impact of nutrition on gastrointestinal health
• Identify dietary factors that influence common gastrointestinal disorders
• Discuss evidence-based nutritional interventions for managing gastrointestinal conditions
• Discuss the nurse's role in nutrition for the promotion of health, prevention of disease and education related to gastrointestinal disorders

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Explain the relationship between nutrition and kidney function
• Identify key dietary factors that influence renal health and disease progression
• Discuss evidence-based nutritional interventions for managing chronic kidney disease
• Discuss the nurse's role in nutrition for the promotion of health, prevention of disease and education related to renal disorders

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the impact of nutrition on bone, muscle, and skin health
• Identify key nutrients essential for maintaining musculoskeletal and integumentary health
• Discuss dietary strategies for managing common musculoskeletal and skin disorders
• Discuss the nurse's role in nutrition for the promotion of health, prevention of disease and education related to musculoskeletal and integumentary disorders

Click here to start this lesson

Unit Overview:

This unit analyzes the significance of nutrition in cancer prevention and its impact on clients diagnosed with cancer. It identifies common nutritional challenges faced by cancer clients during treatment, describes the process of nutritional assessment for cancer clients, and evaluates evidence-based nursing interventions to support adequate nutrition throughout the care journey.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

• Analyze the significance of nutrition in cancer prevention and its impact on clients diagnosed with cancer
• Identify and evaluate common nutritional challenges faced by cancer clients during treatment
• Describe the process of nutritional assessment for cancer clients and its importance in care planning
• Evaluate evidence-based nursing interventions to support adequate nutrition for cancer clients throughout their care journey

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Discuss the role of nutrition and cancer prevention 
• Identify evidence based resources related to nutrition and cancer prevention
• Discuss the role of various foods in the control of free radicals 
• Explore  the role of various foods in prevention of various cancers 
• Discuss the role of the nurse related to nutrition and cancer prevention

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the common nutritional challenges related to clients with cancer

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the process for the nutritional assessment of clients with cancer 
• Discuss evidence-based nursing interventions to support adequate nutrition for clients with cancer 

Click here to start this lesson

Unit Overview:

This unit defines eating disorders and analyzes the connection between food, emotions, and various types of eating disorders. It evaluates the physical and nutritional impacts of eating disorders on overall health, analyzes risk factors, diagnostic processes, and medical treatments for different eating disorders, and discusses evidence-based nursing interventions and care plans for management.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

• Define eating disorders and analyze the connection between food, emotions, and various types of eating disorders
• Evaluate the physical and nutritional impacts of eating disorders on overall health, including associated deficiencies and malnutrition
• Analyze the risk factors, diagnostic processes, and medical treatments for different eating disorders
• Discuss evidence-based nursing interventions and care plans for the management of clients with nutritional and eating disorders

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Define eating disorder
• Discuss the connection between food and emotions related to eating disorders 
• Describe the types of eating disorders
  

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Discuss the deficiencies related to eating disorders 
• Describe the physical effect of eating disorders 

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the risk factors for eating disorders
• Detail the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Discuss evidence-based nursing interventions for managing nutritional and eating disorders
• Identify the elements of a care plan for clients with eating disorders

Click here to start this lesson

Unit Overview:

This unit analyzes the global burden of malnutrition and food safety issues, including their impacts on public health and contributing factors. It evaluates the roles of international organizations and regulatory bodies in addressing global nutrition challenges and ensuring food safety standards. The unit also describes evidence-based strategies for promoting proper nutrition and food safety practices in diverse global settings.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

• Analyze the global burden of malnutrition and food safety issues, including their impacts on public health and contributing factors
• Evaluate the roles of international organizations and regulatory bodies in addressing global nutrition challenges and ensuring food safety standards
• Describe evidence-based strategies for promoting proper nutrition and food safety practices in diverse global settings
• Assess the nurse's role in addressing global nutrition issues, promoting health equity, and preventing foodborne illnesses in various healthcare and community contexts

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Discuss the global burden of malnutrition and its impact on public health
• Identify the global disparities in nutrition and their contributing factors
• Explain the role of international organizations in addressing global nutrition challenges
• Examine the nurse's role in addressing global nutrition issues and promoting health equity in diverse populations

Click here to start this lesson

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Explain the global importance of food safety and its impact on public health
• Identify common foodborne illnesses and their contributing factors across different regions.
• Discuss the role of international organizations and regulatory bodies in ensuring global food safety standards
• Analyze the challenges in maintaining food safety in diverse socioeconomic and cultural contexts
• Describe evidence-based strategies for promoting food safety practices in various settings
• Examine the nurse's role in promoting food safety and preventing foodborne illnesses in healthcare and community settings
  

Click here to start this lesson

Unit Overview:

This unit defines cultural competency in the context of nutrition and healthcare and explains the importance of cultural considerations in nutritional counseling. It introduces the use of the Purnell Model to assess cultural factors affecting dietary habits and discusses the process of developing and implementing culturally sensitive nutritional care plans.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Define cultural competency in the context of nutrition and healthcare
• Explain the importance of cultural considerations in nutritional counseling

Click here to start this lesson